2014: One of the warmest on record

By Reginald Stanley. Posted January 4, 2015, 7:31 PM.

WeatherCurrents stations in Temecula, Murrieta, Menifee, Hemet, Lake Elsinore and Riverside (Canyon Crest) all recorded their warmest year yet in 2014.

In Temecula, where records date back to 1999, the year 2014 averaged at 65.4 degrees - well above the previous warmest year 2012, which averaged 63.4 degrees. Fifteen years of data show Temecula's "normal" yearly average temperature is 62.1 degrees. The average low for 2014 in Temecula was 53.4 degrees, and also the warmest. The average high was 81.5 degrees, and was the second warmest yearly average high recorded at that station (behind 82.1 in 2000).

Murrieta, Hemet, Fallbrook, De Luz, Menifee, Riverside (Canyon Crest), and Lake Elsinore all recorded their warmest year in 2014 in all categories. For the purpose of accuracy, only WeatherCurrents stations that have been operational since at least 2006 are having their data used for comparison. Newer WeatherCurrents stations do not yet have enough years of accumulated data for accurate annual temperature averages.

Records from Downtown Los Angeles and San Diego, which date back to 1921 and 1875 respectively, also show 2014 as an extraordinarily warm year. In San Diego, 2014 was the warmest year in recorded history, beating out the previous record warmest year back in 1984. In Downtown Los Angeles, 2014 was the warmest year since 1997 and 5th warmest year overall (behind 1997, 1984, 1981 and 1983 at the top).

The NOAA's Climate Prediction Center predicts a 40 percent chance of above average temperatures in Southern California through March, and also a 40 percent chance of above average precipitation during the same period.